Today it was formally announced that Nancy Seaman, Chairman of Houlihan Lawrence, is stepping down. Through her quarter-century tenure, she led our brokerage to unprecedented success.

Nancy and her husband, Peter Bailey Seaman, acquired the company from the Lawrence Family in 1990. When Peter suddenly passed away of cancer in 1994 at the age of 42, Nancy stepped in to assume control of the company. Together with her two brothers Stephen and Chris Meyers, she built the business on a unique foundation of core values coupled with cutting edge technology. Under her leadership the company grew from 600 agents, 12 offices, and $375 million in annual sales to 1,300 agents, 30 offices and $6.7 billion in sales in 2016.

Nancy at 4 Valley Road, our historic Bronxville headquarters, c.1995.

Seeking to ensure the long-term future of Houlihan Lawrence in an ever-changing business environment, Nancy accepted an offer from Warren Buffett, a friend and business associate of her husband, to transfer ownership of the company to HomeServices of America, Inc.  Stephen and Chris Meyers will continue to lead the firm’s strategic growth initiatives and manage day-to-day operations together with the existing management team.

Except for the transfer of ownership, nothing about Houlihan Lawrence will change.

Nancy’s goal is to pursue her long-term passion in the nonprofit sector, in which both she and Houlihan Lawrence have always had active involvement. Her immediate work will be for children’s advocacy. Nancy will continue to serve on the Board of HELP USA, which benefits veterans and victims of domestic abuse.

“If not for my departure, you wouldn’t know there was a change in ownership,” Nancy remarked. “I truly love and believe in this company, and am confident this decision guarantees Houlihan Lawrence as we know it—and the extraordinary culture we’ve built over the past 125 years—will be around for the next 125 years.”

Nancy with her brothers Stephen and Chris Meyers, who will continue to lead the company.